Tag Archive for ships

Monica Allen Perin, a painter from her youth, began her fine art studies at the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California. She subsequently obtained a Masters degree in the decorative arts (Museum Studies) at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and consecrated her theses to the garden frescoes found in and around Pompeii.

Teaching art history with the University of Maryland she continued to teach studio art and paint watercolors of the Italian country and seaside.

Following a move with her French husband to the South of France in 1998 she expanded her repertoire to include ‘buon fresco’ painting on fresh lime plaster in the manner of the Renaissance, and is currently involved in an important project to add fresco work to the façade of the parish church in Le Pradet, France.

Monica is also a US Navy artist attached to the Naval Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. As a ‘combat’ artist she has passed numerous weeks in ex-Yugoslavia and more recently with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean documenting daily life in an operational capacity on board an aircraft carrier or logistics support with a forward deployed unit. Monica has exhibited her watercolors in Italy, the US and in France, in particular in Marseille, Toulon (awarded best in show for watercolors at the Salon des beaux-arts 2002), and most recently in Cannes where she was awarded the silver medal at the salon international des arts and culture.

Monica teaches watercolor painting and fresco from her studio in France.

This isn’t a sightseeing boat ride. It’s called sail training, and it is. The view is mainly of the sails and ropes. They are everywhere. Neatly stowed or coiled. This is absolutely the best way to learn what is required to crew a 1813 square rigger.

Captain “Goldie” commanded the ship from the stern and the crew echoed his commands and reported on their execution.

Senior Captain Walter explained the operation of the brig Niagra on the quarter deck. The love of the ship was very apparent and his description of the ship as an organic vessel was something I had never considered. The beams, the masts, the sails and the ropes were constructed from things that were alive. He stressed that when maneuvering the ship the stresses placed on “her” should be considered.

It was surprising to learn that “she” had a 11 to 13 ft. draft, and was constructed to clear the sand bar at Erie harbor and sail on Lake Erie, which is a relatively shallow lake.

The current brig Niagra is a replica of Admiral Perry’s flagship and was originally constructed for only that battle. Perry transfered to the Niagra from the badly damaged Lawrence during the heat of the battle of Lake Erie. She also flew the battle flag, emboldened with the words of Admiral Lawrence “Don’t give up the ship”

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